Soccer-Van der Wiel out of Van Gaal's preliminary squad

May 13 (Reuters) - Defender Gregory van der Wiel, who played in the 2010 World Cup final, was the major casualty on Tuesday when coach Louis van Gaal sprung a few surprises in naming the Netherlands' preliminary squad of 30 for the finals in Brazil.

The Paris St Germain right-back has struggled with form and injury this season but was still expected to be included in the squad for the tournament.

Patrick van Aanholt, on loan at Vitesse Arnhem from Chelsea, was also a surprise inclusion. He won a first cap as a late substitute in a friendly last November.

Wesley Sneijder was named in the group despite making a veiled criticism earlier on Tuesday when reacting on Dutch radio to Van Gaal's announcement that he was changing the team's tactics, but not before having discussed it with senior players Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben.

"Obviously something has changed in the heirarchy," said Sneijder, who has 97 caps and was captain until Van Gaal handed Van Persie the armband last year.

Van Gaal said earlier the Netherlands would change to a 5-3-2 system in Brazil after he had discussed it with Van Persie and Robben and received their enthusiastic support.

Seven players will be cut from the final 23-man selection, to be named on June 2.

The Netherlands meet holders Spain in their opening game at the World Cup in a repeat of the 2010 final on June 13 in Salvador. They also play against Australia and Chile in Brazil.